Rochdale-based bus manufacturer Mellor, part of the Woodall Nicholson group of companies, is ‘redefining zero-emissions public transport’ after revealing details of Sigma, its all-new, zero-emissions electric bus range.

The new battery electric vehicle (BEV) line-up comprises six individual models – with overall lengths from 7 to 12m and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from 8 to 19 tonnes, width and passenger door configuration to further broaden the range — making Sigma one of the largest ranges of low-floor BEV buses available from any manufacturer in Europe.

In the most significant repositioning of Mellor’s commercial activities in its history, the new zero-emissions Sigma range comes to market as global attitudes to transport focus on a more sustainable future and where concerns over vehicle CO₂ emissions see pressure exerted on governments and local authorities to provide funding for bus operators.

Mellor believes its ongoing mandate to produce size- and cost-appropriate vehicles means Sigma’s unrivalled choice will provide customers with ‘a no-compromise, zero-emissions transport solution from a single manufacturer’.

The company operates from a 27,000ft² manufacturing facility in Rochdale comprising ‘state of the art’ production equipment and processes and a new 54,000² Scarborough facility is scheduled for completion in 2022. This will give the company three production lines to produce up to 500 vehicles each year and employ up to 130 people.

Key to the operational appeal of the new Mellor Sigma will be a significant weight saving across all models compared to competitor vehicles, which in turn will reduce energy consumption while enhancing operational performance and range.

Mellor believes Sigma redefines the zero-emissions offering for public transport operators, finally providing customers with a complete range of BEVs to deliver clean, sustainable solutions to suit route profiles ranging from constricted town centres to long-distance rural services.

The Sigma range also places Mellor firmly in the midi-bus sector serving BEV markets in the UK and overseas. Initial 7 and 10m Sigma models are available immediately for order and will be unveiled at a special launch event at Millbrook in December.

Customers placing orders now can expect delivery by early summer 2022. A further four models, including 8, 9, 11 and 12-metre variants, will be phased-in during 2022, with customer deliveries also expected within the same period.

With six model options, the multi-variant Sigma BEV range retains Mellor’s core principle of producing both size- and cost-appropriate buses. Sigma also boasts an extensive choice of widths, operating ranges and GVWs, allowing the company to offer a truly no-compromise vehicle specification and allowing Mellor to enter previously untapped markets.

Mellor’s Bus Division managing director Mark Clissett said: “Our new Sigma range is a redefinition of the zero-emissions bus offering and one which will see Mellor establish itself as a major player with fleet customers, both in the UK and in overseas markets. With six new base models, and a range of options, we are sticking to our size- and cost-appropriate principles and are able to offer customers an exacting BEV solution for their precise requirements.

He concluded: “We are really excited with the prospect of shaking-up the market with this fantastic new product. Sigma not only marks a turning point for Mellor, it is also the most important product introduction of its kind from any bus builder in the last decade.”